Back Roads

This week’s Back Roads is the work of The Land Managing Editor Paul Malchow. A 21st century salute

Many towns “At night it looks pretty honor their neat,” said Hall. veterans with memorials of one kind or another. Some incorporate a retired piece of army equipment, others feature a statue. But few can match the gleaming modern display in Butterfield, Minn. Designers of the Butterfield monument incorporated plastics, LED lighting and computerized plasma-cut steel to fashion a Two benches face the Minnesota/flag centerpiece. The backs of the benches feature detailed metal work honoring June and Mary’s spouses. “I had done quite a few of these,” Hall said. “June wanted an eagle and a flag. Gus (Schulte) had a trucking business and Mary wanted something to do with that.” striking and dignified tribute A number of short columns to those who served. ring the Minnesota outline. On Jeremy Hall, a metal fabrication artist and welding instructor, did much of the monument’s fine work and gave the ‘nickel tour’ of the site this fall. But it was two widows who put the whole project in motion. each column is room for plaques. Each plaque has a veteran’s name, branch and dates of service. Family members and friends of veterans purchased the plaques to help defray costs. June Witte and Mary Schulte both had husbands in the service. Two years ago they organized a committee to erect a veterans’ memorial in Butterfield’s city park. Butterfield has a VFW post, but no hall or meeting place to give veterans a physical presence. “Some of the soldiers lived here,” explained Hall. “Some grew up here, went into the service and moved elsewhere. Three of our more prominent veterans are Ed Wentzlaff, who survived the attack at Pearl Harbor; Bruce Langdon, who was a hostage in Iran; and Donald Larson who started the VFW post.” “There were a lot of fund raisers,” admitted Hall, “pork chop dinners, a pancake breakfast, silent auctions.” A separate set of plaques are mounted on the state centerpiece honoring those who lost their lives while serving

A steel three-dimensional outline of their country. the state of Minnesota is the dominant feature of the memorial. An American flag made out of translucent plastic “We planned to do a dedication,” said Hall, “but Covid closed it down.” covers the state. LED lights are under the plastic which Donations and veterans’ names continue to be accepted for illuminates the flag sculpture at night. Written on the red the monument. Anyone interested should contact Mary stripes of the flag is, “Honoring All Who Served. All Gave Schulte at (507) 956-5311. v Some … Some Gave All…”

Butterfield, Minn.

MORE TRIALS.

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